Absorption, excretion and tissue distribution of silver sulphadiazine.

It was clarified that the absorption of silver sulphadiazine cream, a widely-used topical agent against Pseudomonas infection after burns, through both superficial and deep dermal burn surfaces as well as the normal skin, was negligible, but that its absorption increased when the blister was removed. After absorption, the silver sulphadiazine was dissociated into two portions. The sulphadiazine portion was excreted into the urine quickly and the silver portion, on the contrary, remained at a certain level in the body for a long time. Our results given some suggestions about the indications for silver sulphadiazine cream. The cream seems to be inadequate for treating second-degree burns but may be useful for the treatment of third- or fourth-degree burns.